In today’s financial landscape, credit cards are essential tools for managing expenses, earning rewards, and building credit history. Among the various credit card options available in India,
RuPay credit cards have emerged as a popular choice. Launched by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), RuPay cards offer a range of benefits tailored to the needs of Indian consumers, including lower transaction costs, robust security features, and attractive reward programs. These cards are accepted widely across India and are known for their seamless integration with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), making them a convenient choice for both online and offline transactions.
RuPay, an amalgamation of ‘Rupee’ and ‘Payment’, was introduced in 2012 with the aim of fulfilling the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) vision to have a domestic, open-loop, and multilateral system of payments in India.
The initiative was part of a broader push towards financial inclusion, ensuring that every Indian could access a cost-effective and secure means of payment. Unlike international card schemes, RuPay was designed to be more affordable, with lower processing fees, which benefits both merchants and cardholders. Over the years, RuPay has expanded its portfolio to include credit cards, offering users a variety of options that cater to different spending habits and financial needs.
The History and Evolution of RuPay
RuPay was conceptualized and launched by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to address the need for a domestic payment system in India. Before RuPay, the Indian market was dominated by international card networks like Visa and MasterCard, which often came with higher transaction fees. The introduction of RuPay was aimed at reducing the dependency on foreign networks and creating a more cost-effective and secure payment solution tailored specifically for the Indian market.
The journey of RuPay began in March 2012 with the launch of the RuPay debit card. The card quickly gained traction due to its low transaction costs and robust security features, such as the EMV chip technology, which protects against fraud.
RuPay’s integration with the UPI platform further boosted its popularity, allowing users to make seamless payments through their smartphones. Recognizing the potential of RuPay, NPCI expanded its offerings to include credit cards, providing Indian consumers with more choices and benefits tailored to their needs.
RuPay credit cards have since become synonymous with value and convenience, offering a host of features such as reward points, cashback, and discounts on various spending categories.
Top 10 Best RuPay Credit Cards in India for 2024
Choosing the right credit card can make a significant difference in managing finances efficiently. RuPay credit cards, known for their affordability and attractive rewards, have gained popularity among Indian users. Here, we present a list of the top 10 RuPay credit cards in India for 2024, highlighting their features, offers, joining fees, rewards, and the banks offering them.
1. IndianOil Axis Bank RuPay Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹500 + GST
- Features:
- 4% value back on fuel transactions at IndianOil outlets.
- 1% value back on online shopping.
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000.
- 10% discount on BookMyShow bookings.
- Bank: Axis Bank
2. ICICI HPCL Super Saver RuPay Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹500 + GST
- Features:
- 4% cashback on fuel purchases at HPCL pumps.
- 5% reward points on grocery, departmental stores, and utility bills.
- 2 reward points per ₹100 spent on retail purchases.
- 25% off on movie bookings via BookMyShow and INOX.
- 1 complimentary domestic airport lounge access per quarter.
- Bank: ICICI Bank
3. IDFC First Power Plus RuPay Select Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹499 + GST
- Features:
- Up to 175 litres of free fuel annually.
- 5% savings on groceries, utilities, and IDFC FASTag recharge.
- 3X rewards on other retail spends.
- Low-interest rates starting at 9% per annum.
- 0% interest on ATM cash withdrawals until the due date.
- Bank: IDFC First Bank
4. HDFC MoneyBack+ RuPay Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹500 + GST
- Features:
- 10X CashPoints on Amazon, BigBasket, Flipkart, Reliance Smart, and Swiggy.
- 5X CashPoints on EMI spends at merchant locations.
- ₹500 gift voucher on spends of ₹50,000 per calendar quarter.
- Bank: HDFC Bank
5. Myntra Kotak RuPay Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹500 + GST
- Features:
- 7.5% instant discount on all Myntra platform spends.
- 5% cashback on spends across preferred partner categories.
- Unlimited 1.25% cashback on all other spends.
- Four lounge accesses per quarter.
- Two PVR tickets worth ₹250 each.
- Bank: Kotak Mahindra Bank
6. Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹1,499 + GST
- Features:
- 10% NeuCoins on Tata Neu.
- 5% NeuCoins on partner Tata brands like BigBasket, Croma, and Tata 1mg.
- Eight complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses annually.
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver.
- Welcome benefit of 1,499 NeuCoins.
- Bank: HDFC Bank
7. Yatra SBI RuPay Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹499 + GST
- Features:
- ₹8,250 discount on domestic flights.
- ₹1,000 off on domestic flight bookings of ₹5,000 and above.
- 20% off on domestic hotel bookings.
- Six reward points per ₹100 spent on groceries, dining, and entertainment.
- Bank: SBI
8. ICICI Coral RuPay Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹500 + GST
- Features:
- Two reward points per ₹100 spent on all categories except fuel.
- Complimentary lounge access at domestic airports.
- 25% off on movie bookings via BookMyShow and Inox.
- Personal accident insurance cover of ₹2 lakhs.
- Bank: ICICI Bank
9. PNB RuPay Select Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹500 + GST
- Features:
- 2x reward points on retail merchandise.
- Complimentary domestic and international lounge access.
- Exclusive cashback on utility bills, restaurants, and hotels.
- Comprehensive insurance coverage.
- Bank: Punjab National Bank
10. Bank of Baroda ENERGIE RuPay Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹449 + GST
- Features:
- 4% reward rate on UPI fuel spends.
- 1% surcharge waiver on fuel purchases.
- One domestic airport lounge access per quarter.
- Rewards can be redeemed as statement credit.
- Bank: Bank of Baroda
Conditions to get Lounge Access 2024
Starting April 1, 2024, ICICI Bank offers one complimentary airport lounge access when you spend ₹35,000 or more in the previous calendar quarter. The spending in one quarter grants lounge access for the next quarter.
Effective 1st May 2024, access to domestic airport lounges will be based on a minimum eligible spend of Rs. 50,000 in the previous 3 calendar months. So, every bank has changed the rules and you need to check it before getting new card and read terms and conditions wisely.
Conclusion
RuPay credit cards offer a diverse range of benefits tailored to various spending habits and preferences. Whether you are looking for fuel savings, shopping discounts, or travel rewards, there is a RuPay credit card that fits your needs. Each card listed above provides unique advantages, making them some of the best options available in 2024.
For tips on managing your credit card bills efficiently, check out our previous article on how to pay credit card bills.
